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India an active partner peace efforts in Ukraine: Doval

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivers the opening remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

The NSA meeting on Ukraine is being organised in the coastal city of Jeddah to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plan for peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Saturday said India remains an active, willing partner to find a lasting, comprehensive solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

NSA Doval on Saturday arrived in Jeddah to participate in a summit of national security advisers and other officials being hosted by Saudi Arabia to discuss the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The NSA during the meeting said India has regularly engaged both Russia and Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict at the highest levels. He said the country supports the global order based on principles enshrined in UN Charter and international law. “Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity by all states must be upheld without exception,” he said, according to sources.

As per the NSA, all peace efforts involving all stakeholders must be pursued to find a just and enduring solution to the conflict.
He said the whole world and especially Global South is bearing the brunt of the situation. India is providing both humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and economic assistance to its neighbours in Global South.
India’s approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict has been and always will be to promote dialogue and diplomacy. This is the only way forward for peace, the NSA said.

The meeting confronts a two-fold challenge – resolution of the situation and softening the consequences of the conflict. “Efforts must be directed on both fronts simultaneously and much more groundwork is needed to ensure this,” the NSA said, as per sources. Currently, several peace proposals have been put forward. Each has some positive points but none is acceptable to both sides. The key question that needs to be addressed in the meeting is whether a solution that is acceptable to all relevant stakeholders can be found. Doval was on Saturday welcomed at the Jeddah Airport by the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Suhel Khan and Consul General Mohammed Shahid Alam.

“Shri Ajit Doval, NSA arrived in Jeddah to take part in National Security Advisors’ meeting on Ukraine. He was welcomed at Jeddah Airport by Ambassador Dr Suhel Khan and Consul General Mohd Shahid Alam,” the Indian Embassy in Riyadh said on Twitter. The NSA meeting on Ukraine is being organised in the coastal city of Jeddah to discuss Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s plan for peace amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday confirmed India’s participation in the summit. “India will participate in this event and our participation is in consonance with our long-standing position that dialogue and diplomacy is the way forward,” said MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. “Yes, India has been invited to a meeting being hosted by Saudi Arabia on Ukraine in Jeddah,” Bagchi said while replying to a question at a press briefing of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Russia’s state-run Tass news agency reported Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov as saying: “Russia will keep an eye on this meeting” but would need “to fully understand what goals are being set.”

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Doval calls for transparency on shared cross-border water resources

NSA Doval further said that the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval has made a strong pitch for transparency in sharing information on shared cross-border water resources and asserted that the weaponisation and politicisation of water needed to be countered.

Addressing a meeting on National Security Advisers (NSAs) of BRICS nations here on Tuesday, Mr Doval mentioned certain instances of weaponisation of water and called for the need for complete transparency and unhindered information sharing with respect to shared cross-border water resources.

A number of policymakers have voiced concern over numerous dams built by China on major rivers such as the Mekong, Ganges, Yangtze, Indus and Irrawaddy which are economic lifelines of South and Southeast Asian countries.

Doval said water security was a major global issue and its prudent usage and conservation was a shared responsibility. The politicisation of water needs to be countered, he said. China stopped sharing hydrological data regarding rivers flowing into India in 2017 and resumed the process a year later.

Situation along LAC ‘eroded’ strategic trust

Meanwhile, in a stern message to China Doval said the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has eroded the strategic trust between the two nations.

In a meeting with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, Doval stressed the significance of continuing efforts to thoroughly address the issue and re-establish peace in the border regions. “During the meeting, NSA conveyed that the situation along the LAC in the Western Sector of the India-China boundary since 2020 had eroded strategic trust and the public and political basis of the relationship,” the Ministry of External Affairs stated in an official release.

“NSA emphasised the importance of continuing efforts to fully resolve the situation and restore peace and tranquility in the border areas, so as to remove impediments to normalcy in bilateral relations. The two sides agreed that the India-China bilateral relationship is significant not only for the two countries but also for the region and world,” the release added.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval met the Member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Political Bureau and Director of the Office of the CPC Foreign Affairs Commission, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the BRICS NSAs’ Meeting in Johannesburg on Tuesday.

India and China have time and again faced border disputes dating back to 1962. The most recent clash was in June 2020, when Indian and Chinese troops engaged in a scuffle in the Galwan valley.

Earlier, on July 24, Doval participated in the ‘Friends of BRICS’ meeting in Johannesburg.

According to sources, he said the gravity of cyber risks will increase exponentially with the advent of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data and Internet of Things.

Doval also held a working meeting with the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev and discussed the cooperation between the two countries in the field of security and economy, the Russian embassy in India said in a statement.

He added that terrorism remains one of the key threats to national peace and security.

Asserting that terror organisations in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region continue to operate with impunity, he added that listing terrorists and their proxies under the United Nations counter-terrorism sanctions regime is an area on which BRICS can work together.

Doval said it was important that the decision-making of the UN Security Council sanctions committee is free from politicisation and double standards, adding that the meeting is being held at a time of great churn in the international security environment.

The NSA said further the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He also appreciated the cooperation extended by South Africa for India’s G20 Presidency, assuring India’s continued support for South Africa’s BRICS chairship this year.

‘Terror key threats to national peace’

Doval said that terrorism remains one of the key threats to national peace and security.

He stressed that terror organizations in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region continue to operate with impunity. He said that listing terrorists and their proxies under the United Nations counter-terrorism sanctions regime is an area on which BRICS can work together. Doval called it important that the decision-making of the UN Security Council sanctions committee is free from politicization and double standards, and said that the meeting is being held at a time of great churn in the international security environment.

NSA Doval further said that the global security situation is marked by uncertainty and rising tensions. The global economy is still covering the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The global commons of cyber, maritime and space are contested, he said.

NSA Doval stated that non-traditional challenges of food, water, and energy security have been facing stress. The inclusion of these topics by South Africa in the BRICS NSA’s Meeting reflects a clear understanding of the broader dimensions of security.

He said that the opportunities presented by the digital age will also pose challenges and the need to be united to fortify cyber defences, foster international corporations and build a resilient national cyberinfrastructure.

He noted that cyber attacks known no borders and the linkage between cyber criminals and terrorists is an emerging concern. Regional mechanisms should be utilised to advance common goals and address emerging challenges.

NSA Doval said all efforts need to be made to ensure equitable and fair access to global commons in line with international laws. Water security is a major global issue and its prudent usage and conservation is a shared responsibility.

He also spoke about instances of weaponisation of water and called for the need for complete transparency and unhindered information sharing with respect to shared cross-border water resources. (ANI)

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Doval: No religion is under threat in India

NSA also said that among India’s numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday said that all religions are equal in India and no religion is under any threat in the country where cultures and religions that have co-existed in harmony for centuries.

“India continues to play its role as a refuge for heterodox ideas with infinite capacity to absorb dissent. No religion is under any threat,” Doval said during an event at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in the national capital. Muslim World League secretary-general Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, who is on a six-day India visit, also addressed the gathering.

“As a proud civilizational state, India believes in promoting tolerance, dialogue and cooperation to deal with the challenges of our time. It was no coincidence that despite having around 200 million Muslims, the involvement of Indian citizens in global terrorism has been incredibly low,” Doval said.

“India, the world’s largest democracy and the mother of democracies, is a land of incredible diversity. It is a melting pot of cultures, religions, and languages that coexist in harmony. As an inclusive democracy, India has successfully managed to provide space for all its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic or cultural backgrounds,” Doval added.

NSA also said that among India’s numerous religious groups, Islam occupies a unique and significant position of pride, with India being home to the second-largest Muslim population in the world.

“To give an idea of the scale we are talking about, India’s Muslim population is almost equal to the combined population of over 33 member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC),” Doval added.

“The philosophy of cooperation and dialogue in Islam has over the centuries merged seamlessly with the ancient Hindu civilizational tradition of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – The World is One Family’,” the National Security Advisor said.

“It was only by being open to accommodating various worldviews and ideas, interactions and assimilations of various cultures, beliefs, and practices that India emerged as a sanctuary for persecuted people of all faiths from across the world since times immemorial,” Doval highlighted how India has always accepted people from all religion and ethnicity.

Recalling events from the history Doval said, “India welcomed Arab exiles (in the court of Raja Dahir of Sindh), Jews, Tibetans, Parsis, Shias, Bangladeshis, Afghans and many others with open arms. This enduring tradition of accommodation is a testament to India being a deeply rooted multiethnic, multi-religious, and multilingual society.”

Doval also said that India’s culture has not only enriched art, literature, architecture, cuisine, technology, etc. but more importantly created a syncretic consciousness that permeated through common people. The edifice of modern India is built on the principles of equal rights, equal opportunities and equal responsibilities. This equality is guaranteed by our Constitution and Law.

Speaking of terrorism, Doval said that the challenge of extremism and global terrorism compels India not to lower its guard.

“To preserve the security and stability within our borders and also rise to the security challenges beyond, India has been leading the fight – the fight against individuals and organizations – who are promoting extremism, narcotics and terrorism,” he added.

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Doval in Saudi to discuss US rail link plan for West Asia

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval delivers the opening remarks at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

National Security Advisor met his counterparts from the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval Sunday met his counterparts from the US, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to discuss an ambitious proposal being pushed by the White House to link West Asian countries through rail — using Indian expertise — and connect the region to South Asia via sea lanes.

Sources in New Delhi said Doval has travelled to Saudi Arabia for Sunday’s meeting. The participants are expected to discuss the broad contours of the massive joint project to build railway, maritime and road connectivity in the larger region, linking the Indian subcontinent in South Asia with West Asia — which the US calls the Middle East.

The development was first reported by US news website Axios. It said this is among the key initiatives the White House wants to push in the Middle East as China’s influence in the region grows. The Middle East is a key part of China’s Belt and Road vision.

Axios reported: “The US, Saudi, Emirati and Indian national security advisers are expected on Sunday to discuss a possible major joint infrastructure project to connect Gulf and Arab countries via a network of railways that would also be connected to India via shipping lanes from ports in the region.”

Sources in Delhi explained that the Indian side is keen to participate in the project as it fulfils three strategic objectives.

First, Beijing has expanded its sphere of political influence in the West Asian region through what Delhi views as “mission creep” — the breakthrough in ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran had caught India unawares. This has potential implications for India’s interests in West Asia, which provides energy security. Such connectivity will allow for faster movement of the crude and minimise India’s costs in the long term. The connectivity boost will also help India’s eight million citizens who live and work in the Gulf region.

Second, the project will help India build a brand as an infrastructure builder in the railways sector. Boasting a strong rail network at home and buoyed by the success of creating such infrastructure in Sri Lanka, India has the confidence to do it overseas. It wants private companies as well as public sector enterprises to explore the potential economic and infrastructure opportunities in the region. This will also have the effect of countering the Chinese Belt and Road project, which has burdened many countries in the region with infrastructure that has limited utility. The US, which had proposed the Blue Dot network, is one of the elements in the creation of the connectivity project that will be financially sustainable and viable.

Third, the government feels that India’s connectivity to its western neighbours has been limited for long by Pakistan’s blocking of overland transit routes. So, Delhi wants to use shipping routes to reach West Asian ports. These include Chabahar and Bandar-e-Abbas (Iran), Duqm (Oman), Dubai (UAE), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait City. Connectivity projects crisscrossing the Gulf and Arab countries, with Indian stakes, open up trading opportunities.

According to the Axios report, the idea for the new initiative came up during talks held over the last 18 months in a forum called I2U2, which includes the US, Israel, the UAE and India. The forum was established in late 2021 to discuss strategic infrastructure projects in West Asia.

With China in mind, Israel raised the idea of connecting the region through railways during the I2U2 meetings over the last year. Part of the idea was to use India’s expertise on such big infrastructure projects, a former Israeli official was quoted as saying by Axios.

The Biden administration in recent months expanded on the idea to include Saudi Arabia’s participation. The initiative would include connecting Arab countries in the Levant and the Gulf via a network of railways that will also connect to India through seaports in the Gulf, sources told the US news outlet.

S NSA Jake Sullivan hinted at this initiative during his speech Thursday at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. “If you remember nothing else from my speech, remember I2U2, because you will be hearing more about it as we go forward,” he said.

Sullivan said the basic plan is to connect South Asia, the Middle East and the US “in ways that advance our economic technology and diplomacy”.

He said a number of projects are already underway, along with “some new exciting steps that we are looking forward to undertaking in the months ahead”.

The US NSA said in his speech that one of the pillars of the Biden administration’s strategy in the Middle East is regional integration.

“A more integrated, interconnected Middle East empowers our allies and partners, advances regional peace and prosperity, and reduces the resource demands on the US in this region over the long term without sacrificing our fundamental interests or our involvement in the region,” he said.

According to the Axios report, Israel is not part of this initiative at the moment, but could be added to it in the future if efforts to normalise relations in the region make progress.

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Doval raises concern over terror financing at SCO

New Delhi, Mar 29 (ANI): National Security Advisor Ajit Doval welcomes the top officials as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) level NSA meeting started, in New Delhi on Wednesday. (ANI Photo)

Doval, in his remarks also called upon the member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Wednesday said that terrorism in all of its forms and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security.

He made the remarks at the 18th meeting of the Secretaries of Security Council of SCO member states, underlining that any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable. “Terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and its financing are amongst the most serious threats to international peace and security. Any act of terrorism, regardless of its motivation, is unjustifiable,” Doval said during his opening remarks at the Shanghai Group Meeting.

Doval, in his remarks also called upon the member states to have mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states.

“The Charter calls upon member states to have mutual respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity of states, non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, and seeking no unilateral military superiority in areas,” he added.

Speaking further, the NSA thanked the top delegates for accepting his invitation to the meeting and said the participation of officials will not only enrich the discussions but also prepare the ground for a successful summit in a few months’ time.

Regarding connectivity, he said that it remains a key priority for India.

“We stand ready to cooperate on investing in and building connectivity in the region. Expanding connectivity is also important to ensure that such initiatives are constituted,” he said.

Doval also underlined that India’s foreign policy is based on these very principles and reflects “our commitment in every possible manner”. He also highlighted the issue of Chabahar port during the meeting.

“India is committed to fulfilling its obligations in the under the International North-South Transport Corridor and the inclusion of the Port within the framework of INSTC,” Doval stated. India became a member of SCO in June’17, but our relations with SCO countries go back several centuries, he added.

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India will never abandon Afghans, says Doval

National Security Advisor also reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism…reports Asian Lite News

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has emphasised that India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need and that well-being and humanitarian needs of people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority.

Ajit Doval, who participated in the fifth Multilateral Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils and National Security Advisers on Afghanistan in Moscow on Wednesday, also reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Kabul and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism. Sources said Doval noted that no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and natural resources of Afghanistan should be utilised first for welfare of its people.

Besides Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan were represented at the meeting.

Various issues related to Afghanistan were discussed, including the security situation and humanitarian challenges facing the country.

According to sources, Doval said that Afghanistan is passing through a difficult phase and noted that India has historical and special relationship with Afghanistan.

Noting that “well being and humanitarian needs of people of Afghanistan is India’s foremost priority”, he said this will continue to guide the government’s approach and “India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need”.

Focusing on food security and medical supplies, India has so far delivered 40,000 MT of wheat, 60 tonnes of medicines, 500,000 Covid vaccines, winter clothing and 28 tonnes of disaster relief, the sources said. India’s technical team is overseeing humanitarian assistance programme.

Standing with Aghans, India has granted fresh scholarships to 2260 Afghan students including 300 Afghan girls during the past two years.

Doval noted an inclusive and representative dispensation is in the larger interest of Afghan society, according to sources.

He said that terrorism has become a major threat in the region and dealing with “Daesh and terror outfits like LeT and JeM requires intensified intelligence and security cooperation” between respective states and its agencies.

India reaffirmed the importance of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021) that calls for terror outfits including those designated by UNSCR 1267 to be denied sanctuary in the region.

Sources said Doval noted that “no country should be allowed to use Afghan territory to export terrorism and radicalisation”.

The NSA said India is and will remain an important stakeholder in Afghanistan. He said India always stood by people of Afghanistan and will always support collective efforts to help Afghan people build a prosperous and vibrant nation once again.

The Embassy of India in Russia said in a tweet that NSA Doval stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans.

“NSA Ajit Doval participated in the 5th Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in Moscow. Stressed the well-being and humanitarian needs of Afghans. He said India will never abandon the Afghan people in their time of need,” the Indian embassy said.

“He reiterated the call for an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan and need for collective efforts to fight terrorism,” it added.

The third round of Multilateral Security Dialogue on Afghanistan was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of NSA Ajit Doval in November 2021. The fourth meeting was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan in May 2022.

Taliban ‘desperate’ for resumption of flights to India

With the global community yet to recognise the current regime in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban is reportedly desperate for flights to resume between India and Afghanistan.

The Taliban are optimistic that India will agree to resume direct flights between New Delhi and Kandahar. The Afghan Taliban’s hopes of resumption of flights between India and Afghanistan gained a fresh lease of life after flights resumed between Kandahar and Dubai.

Last week, the Taliban had welcomed India’s budget for the 2023-24 financial year, saying that the announcement of aid by India for Afghanistan would help improve ties and trust between the two nations.

Khaama Press reported that the remarks by the Taliban came after India’s finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a $25 million development aid package for Afghanistan.

“We appreciate India’s support for Afghanistan’s development. It will help to improve ties and trust between the two nations,” said Taliban leader Suhail Shaheen.

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Doval to take tough stand with UK on Sikh extremists

Although India has been raising the issue of Sikh extremists in Britain, the UK government has been dragging its feet over stopping the funds flowing to these groups…reports Asian Lite News

National security advisor Ajit Doval is likely to strongly take up with his UK counterpart Tim Barrow, at a meeting in London today, the issue of Sikh extremists being given a free run in Britain.

At the meeting, which forms part of the annual strategic dialogue between the two countries, NSA Doval is also expected to discuss the issue of continued support to Pakistani groups in the UK that are carrying out an anti-India campaign and fuelling cross-border terrorism in Kashmir. Some British politicians have been backing these groups of Pakistan-origin because of their large vote-bank in some constituencies.

Although India has been raising the issue of Sikh extremists in Britain, the UK government has been dragging its feet over stopping the funds flowing to these groups through some gurudwaras controlled by radical groups in Britain. They have been spreading false propaganda about “atrocities against the community” in India. The Modi government believes that the UK is trying to justify violence in the name of freedom of speech and using these radical groups to pressure India.

While the Rishi Sunak government is eyeing the vast Indian market for its goods as the UK economy totters after Brexit, the British deep state with its pro-Pakistan tilt has been working against India.

NSA Doval is stopping over in London after a successful trip to Washington where he held talks with his US counterpart Jake Sullivan.

Earlier, Doval met the board members of the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USIPF) and held discussions on enhancing cooperation in defence, space, cybersecurity, undersea and innovative intelligence, according to the statement released by USIPF.

In the one-hour-long discussion that took place on Wednesday, both Doval and board members held a discussion on enhancing cooperation in surveillance, building sophisticated reconnaissance systems, and US restrictions on the export of technology. The US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF) is committed to creating the most powerful partnership between the United States and India. As the only independent not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening the U.S.-India partnership in Washington, D.C, and in New Delhi, USISPF is the trusted partner for businesses, non-profit organisations, the diaspora, and the governments of India and the United States.

According to the statement, since the seminal nuclear deal, the U.S.-India defense cooperation has only improved over the years. This meeting underscored U.S. defense companies’ commitment to producing military hardware under the Government of India’s AtmanirbharBharat (Self-Reliant) initiative and, on the software side, on advanced technologies in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).

USISPF members touched on how the private sector can coalesce and work with both governments on traditional defense capability and deep-tech collaboration, especially in the era of autonomous weapons where non-state actors pose a pernicious threat to a nation’s vulnerability.

In this meeting, USIPFF president and CEO Mukesh Aghi said the NSA received in the US mark a high point in the defence and strategic relationship between Washington and New Delhi.

“It also accentuates the level of trust that the United States has in India, as a key defense partner, despite not being a treaty ally. USISPF believes it is time for the U.S. to remove the export barriers of the late 1990s and allow its private sector to work with its Indian counterpart to take the U.S.-India defense partnership to the next level,” he said.

As India and the U.S discuss greater cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, USISPF will work with both governments and the private sector to enhance synergy across defense security, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and the Make in India initiative to consolidate India as a hub for defense manufacturing in the Indo-Pacific region.

NSA Ajit Doval was on an official visit to Washington from January 30-February 1. He was accompanied by senior government officials and leaders of Indian industry.

During his visit, both nations agreed to maintain sustained attention to achieve outcome-oriented deliverables within definitive timelines, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release.

The NSA interacted with US policymakers and stakeholders across government, Congress, business, academic and research communities on a range of bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual interest, it said.

Apart from his meeting with US NSA Jake Sullivan, Doval held a meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, Acting Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, key Senators, and industry leaders.

Doval and Sullivan co-chaired the inaugural meeting of iCET at the White House on January 31.

iCET aims to position the two countries as trusted technology partners by building technology value chains and supporting the co-development and co-production of items. It also aims to address regulatory restrictions, export controls, and mobility barriers through a standing mechanism.

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Sunak to join NSA dialogue between Doval, Barrow

The ties between India and the UK are often described as a Living Bridge, a dynamic economic force of people, businesses and ideas…reports Asian Lite News

As a special gesture, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will join the National Security Advisor (NSA) Dialogue ‘for a while’ between Ajit Doval and Tim Barrow in London.

The High Commission of India in London tweeted and informed about the same and said that the governments of both countries value strengthening strategic partnerships in trade, defence, Science and Technology. “A special gesture by PM @rishisunak to join for a while NSA dialogue btwn Sir Tim Barrow & Mr Doval at @cabinetofficeuk. Deeply value PM’s assurance of his Govts full support to deepen strategic partnership in trade, defence, S&T. Look forward to visit of Sir Tim to soon,” the High Commission of India in London tweeted.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is set to meet his UK counterpart Tim Barrow in London, sources said. In September 2022, Tim Barrow was chosen to serve as the National Security Adviser of the UK.

Barrow was once the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s (FCDO) Political Director and Second Permanent Under-Secretary, according to the official website of the Government of the UK.

The ties between India and the UK are often described as a Living Bridge, a dynamic economic force of people, businesses and ideas.

India and the United Kingdom (UK) share a comprehensive strategic partnership with each other. The two nations have also concluded six rounds of negotiations for a trade deal and will begin the next round very soon.

Notably, India and UK began the negotiations for the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations in January 2022. The UK-India free trade agreement is well-advanced. Although trade at the moment is worth 29.6 billion pounds, India is only the 12th largest trading partner of the UK.

Britain’s first Indian-origin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had earlier conveyed his hope of finalising the trade agreement during a call with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.

The visit of NSA Doval to London comes right after he met his US counterpart Jake Sullivan in Washington last week. (ANI)

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Doval voices concern over terror network in Afghanistan

He said that the members of the UN should refrain from providing assistance to institutions involved in the terrorist activities…reports Asian Lite News

India’s National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval in a conference termed the existence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan as a matter of concern.

It is the first time that India was hosting a conference of top security officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan wherein the emerging security situation in Afghanistan and ways to deal with the threat of terrorism emanating from it were discussed.

In the India-Central NSA level conference held in Delhi on Tuesday, Doval initiated by welcoming the National Security Advisors, Secretaries of the Security Councils of the countries.

Addressing the occasion, Doval underlined the need to prioritise combating terror financing and said that terrorism survived because of financing.

He added that the existence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan was a matter of concern.

He said that the members of the UN should refrain from providing assistance to institutions involved in the terrorist activities.

Doval said that Afghanistan was an important issue for all and India’s concerns and objectives regarding the immediate priorities and the way forward were common to the countries present in the meeting.

He said that the meeting was being held at a time where uncertainty lied about the future and international relations and said that a peaceful, secure and prosperous Central Asia was their common interest.

He further said that connectivity with the Central Asian countries remained a key priority for India.

Doval added that the country stood ready to collaborate, invest and build connectivity in the region while ensuring that the initiative is consultative, transparent and participatory.

He said that Central Asia was India’s extended neighbourhood.

According to information, Doval was likely to hold separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts amid growing concerns over the security situation in Afghanistan.

This is the first one-day NSA-level meeting after the first summit in January, 2022 between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

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Doval stresses on need to safeguard India’s cyberspace

Inaugurating a National Cyber Exercise (NCX) with an aim to train senior management and technical staff of the government on contemporary cyber threats and handling cyber incidents, Doval said that digital revolution is taking place in the country.

National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval said on Monday that any threat in the cyberspace directly impacts the country’s social, economic and national security and therefore India must safeguard its cyberspace.

Inaugurating a National Cyber Exercise (NCX) with an aim to train senior management and technical staff of the government on contemporary cyber threats and handling cyber incidents, Doval said that digital revolution is taking place in the country.

He further said that with the launch of a large number of digital services by the government, cyber security remains the foundation of any successful digital transformation and any threat to the digital world may impact the country in many ways.

The NCX will be conducted as a hybrid exercise from April 18 to 29 in association with the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) of the government with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) as the knowledge partner, supported by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The platform for training is being provided by CyberExer Technologies, an Estonian cyber security company accredited for globally conducting several large-scale cyber exercises.

“More than 140 officials will be trained through training sessions with strategic exercises. The participants will be trained on various key cyber security areas such as intrusion detection techniques, malware information sharing platform (MISP), vulnerability handling and penetration testing, network protocols and data flows, and digital forensics,” an official in the NSCS said.

The NCX India will help strategic leaders to better understand cyber threats, assess readiness, and develop skills for cyber crisis management and cooperation. This will also help develop and test cyber security skills, teamwork, planning, communication, critical thinking, and decision-making.

During the event, the National Cyber Security Coordinator, Lt. General Rajesh Pant, brought out the importance of Indian cyberspace and the necessity of keeping it secure and safe for the citizens, businesses and governments.

He also talked about the increase in ransomware and supply chain attacks taking place in the world as well as in India and how it is very vital to achieve synergy among all the organisations for effectively countering these attacks.

Pant highlighted the recent ransomware attack on Oil India Limited (OIL) and the importance of cyber warfare in the global scenario.

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